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Tariffs

Tariffs

President Donald Trump says his favorite word is "tariff," and he uses it with frequency and with force. By imposing broad tariffs on imports, Trump promises a "golden age" of U.S. manufacturing. But the prospect of a trade war sent stock markets tumbling, and economists warn of a severe global recession.

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A rare type of warehouse space is surging in demand at the Port of Los Angeles as U.S. importers scramble to store Chinese goods during a temporary truce in the ongoing trade war. A 90-day rollback in tariffs has triggered a spike in shipments, with bonded warehouses offering a key advantage: the ability to delay tariff payments until the moment goods enter U.S. commerce.
last updated May 15

Economic impact

Will businesses absorb the cost of Trump’s tariffs, or will consumers see higher prices across the board? Many economists, including those at the Federal Reserve, expect Trump’s tariffs to cause a spike in the inflation rate.
LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP /AFP via Getty Images
One day after the U.S. and China paused their escalating trade war, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean in Beijing. The timing followed a major tariff rollback between the world’s two largest economies and marked the opening of the China-CELAC Forum’s fourth ministerial session. Chinese leadership positioned the summit as a pivot toward global partnership amid what it called rising “unilateralism and protectionism.”
last updated May 13

Foreign and domestic backlash

Targeted by the highest U.S. tariffs, China has fought back, imposing its own steep levies on U.S. goods. And in the United States, some members of Congress have looked for ways to rein in the president’s authority over tariffs.
Florence Lo-Pool/Getty Images
The Trump administration has agreed to slash new import tariffs on Chinese de minimis goods from 120% to 54%.
last updated May 13

Trade wars

President Trump has imposed – and, in many cases, suspended – tariffs on imports from most other countries. While some countries sought to appease Trump, others vowed to retaliate against U.S.-made goods.
Ben Montgomery/Getty Images

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What the left is saying

Legal challenges

Several Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration, alleging his sweeping tariffs are unconstitutional and have disrupted the economy.

Driving inflation

Coverage from left-leaning media outlets reflects the views of various state officials that Trump's tariffs represent a reckless handling of the U.S. economy. Articles stress the possibility of higher consumer costs and an increased inflation rate.

Political motivations

Critics in left-leaning media say Trump's tariff policies are based more on political motives than legal authority or sound economic theory.

What the center is saying

Bipartisan concerns

Centrist media outlets reflect concern from both political parties over the impact of tariffs. Articles note the potential for damaging trade wars with other nations.

Supply chain risks

Articles highlight heightened risks to global supply chains. The flow of critical materials for technology and defense manufacturers is seen as especially troubling.

Calls for negotiation

Articles report that officials from both political parties have called for negotiation and diplomacy to avoid all-out trade wars.

What the right is saying

National security

Right-leaning media supporters of Trump's tariff policies often cite national security as a justification for large levies on foreign goods. They argue that protecting American industry is paramount.

Economic sovereignty

Articles quote proponents of tariffs who say the United States must confront unfair trade practices by other nations. They say failing to do so threatens American's economic sovereignty.

America first

The Trump administration says tariffs are a key component of an "America first" policy. Officials and supporters in right-leaning media say tariff opponents are politically motivated.

What the left media is missing…

What the right media is missing…

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Timeline

2025

Key Event
2025

Trump hints China tariffs will drop ‘substantially’

Indicating for the first time that he might pull back from a global trade war, President Donald Trump said tariffs on Chinese goods could be cut “substantially.” At the same time, Trump declared a national emergency on trade.

Key Event
2025

Trump announces 90-day pause on tariffs for some countries, but not China

On the same day that “reciprocal” tariffs took effect on goods from most U.S. trading partners, President Trump announced on social media that he would suspend those levies for 90 days – for all countries except China. At the same time, he raised the tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%.

Key Event
2025

Trump levies ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on more than 180 nations

On what he called “Liberation Day,” President Trump levied what he says are “reciprocal” tariffs on imports from more than 180 nations, many of them higher than 40%. Stock indexes fell sharply, drawing rebukes from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other economists. China quickly announced it would retaliate by imposing new tariffs on American goods.